First (real) snow of 2011...

We heard for days that we were going to get 3-7" of snow. As usual people started freaking out, the weather people were on the TV every 3 seconds, people were rushing out to get the "essentials" for being snowed in (you know, milk and bread. HA!) and everyone in the office was moving meetings from Thursday to Friday because they just knew it would snow. I believe it when I see it. Went I left work that evening I didn't even need to wear a coat, it was that nice. When I went to bed that night nothing, I mean NOTHING, was falling from the sky. So, I just figured it was standard "Arkansas madness." They don't freak out around here when thousands of dead birds fall from the sky, but one drop of ice and the entire area shuts down. But I was wrong. My first alarm clock went off at 6:15, as usual. The DJs were in the middle of listing off the school closing and I hear "Fayetteville Schools." WHAT? I turned to Ryan and said "Did I just hear that??" I looked outside, it was dark, so I went back to bed. I woke up a little while later and saw there was an abundance of snow on the ground and it was still falling from the sky. Snow day/workday it is. And for this day, this little guy would be my cube mate.

We started the morning by playing rocket ship. Yes, our pillows are his rocket ship.
Now just to be clear, this time it was a real snow! Not this crappy snow that closed school as week before....Yes, THIS is why I am cynical and say things like "Arkansas madness" Below is the less than 1/4 inch that closed schools in NWA.

THIS time we got bunch of the white fluffy stuff.

and we just had to bundle up and head out in it! Chaz had a cough and runny nose but I couldn't really deny the little guy some playtime in the snow. Once he was all bundled up, he wasn't really wanting to get his picture taken.Daddy and Chaz headed out in the snow! Yes, my husband looks a little like a candy corn but we don't dress-up, or even come close to matching, to play in the snow.
He loved, loved, loved seeing his footprints in the snow. (I have GOT to get this little guy back to the beach!!)

Chaz has the cutest little book "Snowball Soup." I think we read it almost every night. So, what did he want to do as soon as we got outside?? Make snowball soup, duh. Yes, that is me in the big yellow coat. The snow was too fluffy to pack for snowballs but we got a big pot of snow. Chaz decided to use his little house as a kitchen. I am not sure what he was serving but it was DE-LICIOUS!!

My candy corn decided to measure the snow. Two inches was the official measurement from our outside table. Very official.
If you follow me you know I have a small love/infatuation with baby feet. Motorcycle boots covered in snow... melt.my.heart!

So, all those pictures above totaled about 20 minutes of playtime (max) We were quickly inside and changed into warm clothes. We knew we wouldn't be leaving the house this day so Chaz got to ear whatever he wanted. He picked his Superman pj bottoms, astronaut pj top and new Eskimo Joe's St. Patrick's day shirt. No matching necessary on a snow day.

After his long nap we played some Lincoln Logs and kitchen.

It was a very good snow day. We managed to play outside and inside, Chaz took a monster nap and Mommy and Daddy were able to get a great amount of work done! I love the snow!

Chaz's first Razorback Basketball game.

Our wonderful friends Mike and Destiny invited us to the Razorback game -- Chaz's first game. We weren't sure how it would work out (it was RIGHT in the middle of naptime) but we were willing to wing it. Chaz was very, very excited. Not only would this be his first game but he loves Uncle Mike Mike and Aunt Dezzie. We met up for lunch at Feltner Bros. If you haven't tried this place it is a MUST! Then we were off to the game. Tickets-Check.Cute little baby Razorback T-shirt - Check. Fruit snacks-Check. Destiny was amazed by all the "extras" I had stashed away in my coat. Fruit Snacks, Pez--complete with Toy Story Hamm dispenser, Weird ball toy from McDonald's that he loves, more fruit snacks, mini cookies, chapstick and the always necessary tissue. She is due with her first little one in April. She will understand the "necessities" soon. Chaz had no idea what he was walking into but he did recognize Bud Walton Arena from his Big Red book. The first 20 minutes our so he was stuck to me like glue. You see, he is not a big fan of Big Red (our mascot) and somehow he spotted him on the other side of the arena. It took all four adults about 4 more minutes to actually see Big Red. This kid has an eye. He thought Big Red was going to come and take him, his words, not mine.
Cooper!
I love the intense looks from Chaz and Mike. They are into this game!
Those are excited hands!So, I probably didn't mention this but Basketball is really not a sport I enjoy. I loved this day because we were with good friends and Chaz had a blast... OH AND they brought out the Razorback football team, who incidentally went to the Sugar Bowl this year. WOOOOO PIG!! Now THAT is my sport!Best seat in the house!
and then it happened... We were in the middle of naptime....He became very restless. Note: more fruit snacks. We had a "great" meltdown. Sorry, no pictures of that. And then he was really tired, so we whipped out the trusty iPhone. Handy Manny it is!
and then, game tied with about 5 minutes left.....O.U.T! The crowd was loud, the band was loud, we were loud. I cannot believe he slept through it.
and in the end we WON! 70-65. I haven't been to a basketball game in about 10 years. It was a good time. Thanks Mike and Destiny!

Entering 2011 with a bang!

Or maybe a jump. I was off work the Monday after New Year's and Chaz's daycare was closed so ....we decided to live it up! We went to the wonderful world of Boingo Bounce! You have seen a few posts about this place.. like this one.. and that one. So, you know how much I heart this place. I was also able to introduce My Friend Sarah and her little guy Colt to the wonderfulness of this place. From the moment we entered this place the kiddos just went wild!!as did the adults!! You really can't help but take off your shoes and join in the fun. It really is just THAT much fun!

When Chaz crawled into one of the bounce houses I followed him (of course) but he was NOT happy with me --or my camera --coming in after him. At first he just told me to leave.. "Momma, don't follow me. I in here by myself"
And then he got very irritated... Of course, I just continued to take pictures.. HA!
as I was taking this beauty he lost his balance and fell into me. My camera caught my eye/cheekbone--I swear I should have had a killer black eye. It hurt for days! He quickly said "I sorry, you ok!" Note: that exclamation point is intentional as this is not a "Are you ok?" -- very concerned question.. It is a "You ok!" -- I am telling you that you are fine, get up and shake it off. He is a very funny 3 year-old.

Here is when I followed him into the bounce house. He knew I was filming and wanted to sit down and watch it.

Up and down the slide.

What is this? Well it is NOT a bounce house, obviously. It is a little plastic house in the back corner. I actually think it is meant for the younger siblings who come to Boingo. But not this day. NO! It was for our sweet 2 and 3 year-old little boys. They actually decided it was "Walmart." Yes, this is what they told me. I couldn't make that up. What do they sell at this Walmart you may ask?? Little pink and blue plastic rocking horses. Three of each color to be exact and yes, they do ALL fit in the Walmart with the kiddos. Oh my!!It was fun to see the little differences between these two. There is a little over a year difference in age with Chaz being older. The biggest one was that Colt was very well behaved just soaking it all in and Chaz.. well let's just say he likes to be brave and push the limits...I am pretty sure you are not suppose to be on TOP of the tunnel netting..
The other difference was the excitement Colt showed. Now, if you look back to the first time we came here you will remember Chaz's "wicked eye" that was caused by shear excitement. Colt suffered from happy feet -- sometimes so much so that he would literally trip over himself-- and the permagrin--shown below in full forces. I honestly could not stop giggling at these two!!
They did have a few calm moments, such as playing with the puzzle on the wall.
The brief, but necessary, time out with my little one. Yes, he is behind the couch. I do what I must.
And then it was BACK ON!!! Insanity I say! You know if a kid comes out in a total blur, it is a moment of pure bliss.
and we have this classic shot .. What? You don't see the kids? Yeah, that is because I was too slow or they were too fast! Either way, I think it is hilarious.
Thank goodness Sarah had her camera on the right setting (I thought I did... fail!) I love that they became best-of-buds so fast!
Time to go with Momma. I told you it is simply impossible not to play along!!

As if the 6 large bouncy things weren't enough, Chaz decided to use his dad as a slide. HA!
Chaz tried to go back to "Walmart" but Colt had other ideas.. He literally reached in and drug Chaz out of the "store"
And boy did he know what he was talking about!! Now let me say, it doesn't take much to wrangle my husband into silliness or things-you-shouldn't-do-but-will-probably-be-fun-so-you-do-them-anyways. Remember those rocking horses from "Walmart?" Well the boys got two and decided to race, with Ryan being the engine, of course. I mean really, could those smiles get ANY bigger??
Then Ryan had the bright idea to combo them up. I think it was actually easier on him. I won't mention that they wrecked after the second ride but got up with those same ear to ear grins. Yep, I won't mention that.
I won't mention that they kept begging for "one more ride!!" Yeah, I won't mention that.I won't mention that Colt had to take over while Ryan was resting his old man legs. Yep, I won't dare mention that!
And then he was back with a vengeance!! LOOK AT THOSE FACES!!! I don't care that the camera actually focused on my husband's leg, remember blurriness is one of my criteria for a "total bliss" picture. I don't care that you can only see 1/2 my son's face, you can see his happiness from space. This to me is a perfect shot!
Want to see all this nonsense in motion? Lucky for you!

Thank you My Friend Sarah and little Colt for joining us. It was a blast!!!